Table stand construction for sewing machines



Nov. 13, 1962 A. N. HALE ETAL TABLE STAND CONSTRUCTION FOR SEWING MACHINES 4 Sheets- Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 22, 1959 FIG Nov. 13, 1962 A. N. HALE ETAL TABLE STANDCONSTRUCTION FOR SEWING MACHINES 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.5

Filed Dec. 22, 1959 FIG.3

Nov. 13, 1962 A. N. HALE ETAL TABLE sumo CONSTRUCTION FOR SEWING MACHINES 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 22, 1959 FIG.I6

FIG. I7

Nov. 13, 1962 A. N. HALE EIAL TABLE STAND CONSTRUCTION FOR SEWING MACHINES 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 22, 1959 FIG.22 FIG.23 FIG.24

V III II I I I r I v I i United States Patent 3,063,770 TABLE STAND (IUNSTRUCTION FUR SEWENG MACHINES Arthur N. Hale and Gustave T. Nelson, Park Ridge, and

Russell 1. Edwards, Chicago, Ill., assignors to Union Special Machine (Iompany, Chicago, 111., a corporation or Iilinois Filed Dec. 22, 1959, Ser. No. 861,381 '7 Claims. (Cl. 312246) In meeting the requirements of a sewing stand of the,

foregoing character, the invention involves the provision of a leg structure and other supporting means for-med primarily of relatively. thin sheet metal. The major portion of the stand is produced from metal members which may be formed by -a simple stamping operation from quite thin sheet metal. The form of the various parts is such that the necessary rigidity and strength is provided in spite of the thinness and lightness of weight of the metal employed in the construction. Provision is also made for the desired adjustability of various components of the complete structure. Thus, the overall height of the stand, and hence the elevation of the sewing machine supporting top, is made adjustable to suit the stature of the operator in relation to the machine carried by the structure. Likewise, the location of the table top from front to rear of the supporting structure is made readily adjustable to meet different requirements. Also the location of the treadles, conventionally employed for the control of the operation of the machine, is made adjustable in three directions. The treadles may be very quickly and easily set or adjusted from side to side, from front toback and in vertical height in relation to the supporting stand structure. These various adjustments or settings make possible the very simple and expeditious adaptation of the stand to suit the requirements or desires of any operator in the use of machinescarried by the table top applied to the stand.

A specific feature of the invention which has made it possible to produce economically a structure of the foregoing character is the provision of sheet metal reinforcing members within the main sheet metal frame elements at particular points and in a particular manner ot impart the supporting rod. This arrangement is such as to eliminate the need for loosening and then retightening of screws or bolts in the course of changing the position of the treadles. Still further features of the invention include the provision of simple and lightweight members for firmly re-I tainingthe stand structure against undue movement in relation to the floor in the course of operation of the machine, and the provision of a special drawer, and mounting means therefor, for retaining tools and the like in readily accessible position.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will appear from the detailed description of an illustrative embodiment thereof which will now be given in relation to the accompanying drawings, in which:

sides facing each other.

3,063,770 Patented Nov. 1-3, 1962 FIG. I is a plan view of the table top showing, in broken lines, the stand structure beneath it and showing the drawer in its outward position, the inner position of the drawer being indicated in broken lines;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the stand structure;

FIG. 3 is-a side elevational view of the stand structure as seen from the right in FIG. 1;

FIG.. 4 is an enlarged, vertical sectional view through the lower portion of the stand structure in a central plane extending from front to rear throughone of the end members; 7

FIG. 5 is a horizontal, sectional view taken along the line 5--5 of FIG. 4 and shows the construction of the leg and foot portions of one of the end members and portions of certain elements which tie the end members together;

.FIG. 6 is a vertical, sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a vertical, sectional view taken along the line 77 of FIG. 4; f I

FIG. 8 is a rear elevational view of the lower portion of the stand structure in the region of one of the end members;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view, of one part of the lower section of an end member with certain reinforcing ele-.

ments secured thereto;

FIGS. 10 and 11 are perspective views of the reinforcing members shown in FIG. 9;

FiG. 12 is a perspective view of the lower part of one of the legs of the upper portion of an end member of the frame;

FIG. 13 is an end view of a treadle supporting rod' provided in the stand structure, with a spring clip applied thereto;

FIG. 14 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in vertical section, showingthe treadle supporting rod with a spring clip applied thereto, the rod being broken away in part to condense the length of the view;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of one of the spring clips;

FIG. 19 is an inverted perspective view of a supporting and guiding member for the drawerof FIG. 18;

FIG.. 20 is a sideelevational view of the drawer and the supporting and guiding member;

FIG. 21 is a front elevational view of the drawer and the supporting and guiding member;

FIGS. 22, 23 and 24 are vertical sectional views through detachable floor-engaging elements of different forms which may be applied to the lower sections of the end members;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the floor-engaging element shown in FIG. 22; and

FIG. 26 is an elevational view of a screw element em-- ployed to attach a table top to the stand.

Referring now to the drawings, the stand structure comprises two end members designated generally as 10 and 11 in FIG. 2. -These end members are identical in construction and each comprises an upper section hav-- ing a horizontally extendingchannel element 12 stamped from relatively thin metal and secured by welding or the like to' the upper ends of channel elements 13' forming spaced legs. The elements 13 are likewise stamped from. relatively thin metal and are positioned with their. spe'n'i Each end member also"com-' drawer applied to prises a lower section formed of two parts 14 and 1S stamped from thin metal, these parts being secured together by four bolts 16, and also by other bolts which serve to secure other members to said parts. The parts 14 and 15 are of the same contour but'bear a right'hand and left hand relationship to each other so as to provid'e'a hollow interior for the assembled structure. This structure has a foot portion providing a forwardly extending toe and a slightly rearwardly extending heel. Fromthe foot portion there are two upwardly" extending, hollow leg portions arranged to receive telescopically the lower ends of the legs 13 of the upper section of the endmember. Provision is made for vertical adjustment of the legs 13 in relation to the leg' portions of the'lower section by cooperation of the bolts 16 with vertically elongated openings 17 and 18 adjacent the lower ends of the legs 13. The bolts 16 maybe selectively inserted in two sets of four vertically spaced openings 19 extending through the elements 14 and 15, each set being disposed in a region alined with the openings 17 and 18 in one of the legs 13 of the upper section of the end member. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the-bolts 16 arepositioned in the lowermost and the next to the uppermost holes 19. This allows for adjustment of the height of the table top to the extent permitt'ed'bythelength of the openings'17 and 18. If it is desired to elevate the table top to a somewhat greater extent, this'may be a'ccomplishedby inserting the bolts 16in theuppermost andthe next to the lowermost openings 19. In a typical constructionwith the opening's'17 and 18 each being twoinches long and the spacing of the openings being-two inches, an overall'adjustment of the height of the table top to'the extent of four'inchesmay' be effected in'this way. Assuming that the lowermost height is 28 inches the uppermost height may then-be 32 inches.

To enable the production of the entire table stand from relatively thin material and still provide a sturdy strucmm which will resist buckling of the various thin metal parts due to tightening of the bolts'and the like, certain reinforcing members, which are also formed of 7 thin metal by appropriate stamping operations, are provided at selected points. Thus, each leg 13 is provided with a channel member 20 having its side portions welded or otherwise secured to the side portions of the channels formingthe' legs 13. The members 2t) are so positioned that their base portions 29a are positioned closely adjacent to the edges of the openings 17 and 18, thus preventing buckling or inward movement of the sides of the channels forming'the legs'13 as the bolts l-are tightened to retain the legs in a desired position of adjustment? Special reinforcing elements 21 and 22 are provided to stiffen the lower section of each endmember. These'reinforcing elements, which are preferably located in regions where other secrews or bolts are provided, are likewise stamped from relatively thin metal but are given such a contour as to provide the required stiffening action; Thus the element 21' is of a complex channel formation having side members 21a and 2115 with openings or notches 210 provided therein. The connecting base portion of the channel has upwardly bent flanges 21d in the regionsof'the openings'or notches'21c and also has upwardly extending flanges Me at the ends of the reinforcing element. This configuration of the reinforcing element provides substantial stiffness and strength'to resist buckling of the parts 14 and 15. Element '21 is secured to one of these parts, such as part 14 (FIG. 9), by welding or the like, in. a region in which a treadle'suppor'ting rod is secured. It is of such a width as to engage the'vertical wall of the cooperating part 15 and to hold this 'part in properly spaced relation when the parts are'assembled. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 4, two of the elements 22 are provided, these having the configuration best shown in FIG. 10. Each element has side portions 22a and 22b and flanges 22c and 22d bent upwardly from the connecting base of 'the' element 22. One such element 22 is" secured to the part 14, by welding or the like, in the region of the heel portion thereof while the other element 22 is secured to the part 14, by welding or the like, in a region above the location of the element 21. It will be seen, therefore, that the regions in which each of the reinforcing elements 21 and 22 are located are those in which bolts are provided for securing various parts to the structure. The legs 13 and reinforcing members 20 serve to stiffen the structure in the region of the bolts 16 for securing the parts 14 and 15 together.

It will be understood that each of the end members of the support has the same construction as described above. The top and bottom sections of the two end members are identical. They are held in properly spaced relation, in part, by a table top 23 which is suitably secured to the top channel elements 12 of the two end members. This table top may suitably be provided with an opening 24 for the reception of the base portion of a sewing'machine'and the'latter' maybe retained in any'of the varietyof ways known in the art. Discs 25 providing pivot's'for the rearward tilting of the'rn'achine may be providedif desired. A belt opening 26 is preferably provided to permit a driving belt (not shown) to extend from a pulley on the sewing machine (not shown) to a pulley on an electric motor and clutch unit (not shown) suitably secured ot the undersurface of the tabletop. As

shown in FIG. 1, thebelt opening 26" may suitably be inclined rearwardly from top to bottom, since the pulley on the sewing'machine' will preferably be forwardly of the pulley on the electric motor and clutch unit.

' For the purpose of securing the tabletop to the channel elements 12 theremay be embedded in the und'ersurface of the table top a plurality of hollow screw elements 27. These, as known in the part, may'suitably be driven into the wood or similar material of whichthe table top is formed by the application of an appropriate tool. The ex'-- ternal threads 27a (FIG. 26) provided on the outer surface of each element 27 and the'transverse notch 27b in the top of this element enable it to be readily screwed into the wood by the use'of a suitable tool. Each element 27 is also internally threaded, as indicated at 27c, to receive a bolt 28 (FIG. 17). Four of the elements27 may be provided and a' corresponding number of bolts 28 may be employed, each being inserted through one of the openings 32 in'the top of the channel elements 12. By providing spaced groups of openings 32 it is possible to vary' the position of the table top in relation to the stand structure. Thus, considering one of the elements 12, there areshown two groups of four spaced openings 32.- The forwardmost openings in each group are spaced from each other the distance to which the elements 27 are spaced in the underface of the table top from front to rear. If the bolts 28'are inserted-in the forwardmost openings 32 the table top will be positioned in a'most forward position in relation to the stand and if the bolts are inserted in the reannost openings 32 the table top will be positioned in the rearmost relationship to the stand. The other openings 32 in the several groups permit'an intermediate adjustment of the tabletop to the stand. Thus the same structure is adapted for use in conriection with various types of machines and to accommodate the operator to best advantage in the performance of various types of operation.

A modified arrangement for connecting the table top with the elements 12 of thetwo end members of the stand structure is illustrated in FIG. l6. As in the first embodiment, the table top will have four of the threaded inserts 27 provided in the underface of the top in appropriately spaced position to be alined with selected holes 32 in the elements 12. Each of the connecting means for securing the table top to the elements 12 comprises a member having an upwardly extending screw 29 and a downwardly extending bolt 29a, the heads of the screw and bolt 'being embedded in a small cylinder 30, formed of rubberor' the like, serving as a vibration isolating means. The screw 29 is threaded into the fitting 27 while the bolt 29a is passed through a selected one of the openlugs 32 and is provided with a nut 31 to secure the bolt to the element 12. Such a mounting of the table top serves to eliminate or greatly reduce the transmission of vibrations from the table top to the supporting stand.

To assist in retaining the two end members of the stand structure in properly spaced relation there is provided a cross member 33 of special channel formation which may be readily produced by a stamping operation from relatively thin metal. The cross-sectional configuration of the member 33 is best shown in FIG. 4. As will be seen, its lower portion 33b is offset outwardly to a slight ex tent in relation to the upper portion 33a. Bolts 34 passing through the upper portion 33a of the cross member are provided for securing the member 33 to the rear legs 13 of each of the upper sections of the end members. The oflfset construction of the lower portion 33b of the member 33 enables it to slide freely over the adjacent surface of the rear leg portions of the parts 14 and when the height of the table is adjusted to a relatively lowposition. Further bracing of the stand structure isprovided by a pairjof angularly disposed flat bars 35 the upper end of each of which is secured by a bolt or the like to the rear face of one'of the rear legs 13 at a point somewhat above the point of connection of the member 33 with such leg. The lower ends of the bars 35 are se cured by bolts or the like to the upper portion 33a of the member 33.

Further rigidity is given to the stand structure by a rod 36 which is adapted to carry treadles in the manner to be explained. The rod 36, as best shown in FIG. 14, is of hollow, tubular construction and may be formed of relatively thin metal. In each end of the tube is inserted a cylindrical plug 37 having a circumferential groove in its outer face into which a portion of the tube may be forced to firmly retain the plug. Each plug 37 is pro vided with a central screw threaded opening 38 arranged to receive the end of a screw or bolt 39. The latter may be passed through a selected one of a series of openings 40- in the part 14 and a corresponding one of a series of alined openings in the part 15. As shown in FIG. 2, there may be three such openings 40 in spaced positions from front to rear of the part 14 in the same horizontal plane and there may be another such opening at a slightly higher elevation. Additional openings 40 may be provided at either of the elevations shown. Corresponding openings are provided in part 15 alined with those in part 14. The arrangement is such that the position of the rod 36 from front to rear of the frame structure, and also in elevation, may be varied to suit the convenience of a particular operator for the sewing machine carried by thetable stand. The two ends of the rod 36- will, of course. be alined with openings 40 in corresponding positions in the two end members 10 and 11.

Pivotally mounted on the rod 36 is a pair of treadles 41 and 42, one of these being adapted for connection with the motor and clutch unit for controlling the operation of the sewing machine and the other being adapted for connection with some part of the sewing machine, such as the presser bar of the latter, which it is desired to operate at will in the course of use of the sewing machine. A very simple means is provided for retaining the treadles 41 and 42 in any adjusted position along the rod 36. This means comprises a pair of spring clips 43 for each of the treadles. By squeezing the free ends of these spring clips, through the use of an appropriate tool, they may be shifted to any desired position along the rod 36. Their spring action, normally tending to reduce the diameter of the circle described thereby, is such as to create adequate frictional resistance against the longitudinal movement of the treadles along the rod 36. It will be understood that a spring clip 43 is provided adjacent each side surface of each of the treadles, so that each of the latter may be retained in any desired position along the rod.

The locationof the treadles may be adjusted in three different dimensions by securing the rod 36 in alinement with selected openings 40 and by adjusting the treadles longitudinally of the rod 36.

Four floor engaging elements are preferably attached to the toe and heel portions of the lower sections of the end frames. These floor engaging elements are preferably forrned of thin sheet material stamped into the desired configuration. As shown in FIG. 22, each element may comprise a cupped lower portion 44 arranged to engage the floor and an upper bracket portion 45 adapted to be secured to the frame structure. For the latter purpose, the bracket 45 may suitably be provided with notches 45a, or an opening, in upwardly extending arms 45b which are adapted to straddle the parts 14 and 15 of the lower section of an end member. A bolt 46 may be provided to secure the floor engaging element to the frame structure. If desired, suitable vibration isolating means may be incorporated in the floor engaging elements.

Such means may comprise a disc 47 (FIG. 23) formed of rubber or the like introduced into the bottom of the Cup portion 44 and extending slightly below the latter. An inwardly turned flange 44a on the cup portion 44 serves to retain the disc 47 firmly in position. If preferred, the vibrationisolating .means may be in the form. of an element 47a (FIG. 24) formed of rubber or the like and adapted to be snapped around the cupped portion 44. Either of the suggested arrangements serves to. provide a yielda-ble part for direct engagement with the floor thereby eliminating, or greatly reducing, the vibrations which may be otherwise transmitted from the stand structure to the floor. The table stand of the present invention is also provided with a lightweight, metal drawer for the retention of tools or accessory devices or the like. For this purpose there is secured to the undersurface of the tabletop 23 a sup-- porting member 48 formed as a stamping from relatively thin metal. This support member has overturned flanges 48a along its longitudinal edges, these being spaced suitably from the main body of the support member. The latter has two fingers 49 and 5t) bent downwardly, the finger 49 facing rearwardly of the supporting member and the finger 50 facing forwardly. These, as will be explained, provide suitable stops for the movement of the metal drawer. Supporting member 48 is secured to the underface of the table top 23 by the provision of fittings 27 in the table top in the manner described above. These fittings cooperate with screws passing through openings 48b in member 48; A stamped metal drawer 51 formed of relatively thin metal is provided with laterally extend ing flanges 51a along its upper longitudinal edges. These flanges are arranged-to ride in the channels provided by the flanges 48a. Each end wall of the drawer is provided, adjacent one side, with a notch or cutout, as indicated at 510, the arrangement being such that upon insertion of the drawer the notch will pass freely over the finger 50 of the member 48. At the opposite side of the drawer the end wall will engage the finger 49.and depress thelatter,

which is of a springy. character so that it does not interfere with the insertion of the drawer. The construction of the drawer is such that either end may be selected to face forwardly. Once the drawer has been inserted the rear wall cooperating with the finger 49 serves to limit the outward movement of the drawer while the front wall cooperating with the finger 50 serves to limit the inward movement of the drawer. This arrangement is such that the drawer may be shifted to a somewhat greater extent than its total length. Normally it willbe forced inwardly to position its front end wall about 4 inches rearwardlyyof the front face of the table top, thus reducing to a mini-, mum the interference with the freedom of movement of the operator. When it is drawn outwardly the finger 49 will retain the drawer in a position in which the flanges 48a and 51a are still engaged for a distance of about 2 inches, thus insuring firm retention of the drawer in a horizontal position. To permit the drawer to be readily drawn outwardly, each of the end walls is provided with a downwardly extending flange 51b which may be grasped by the operator. It will be understood that the operator will thus grasp the flange 51 on the particular end wall which faces the front of the stand.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the present invention provides a table stand which may be formed of very thin metal and which is nevertheless sturdy and capable of withstanding the force to which it is subjected in use as a support for a quite heavy sewing machine and a motor and clutch unit. The latter is adapted to be secured to the underface of the table top 23 through the provision of a number of fittings 27 in the underface of this, as shown in FIG. 1, in a position rearwardly of the machine receiving opening 24. Suitable screws or bolts cooperating with flanges on the motor and clutch unit may be threaded into these fittings 27.

, By way of example, it has been found in the construction of the new table stand that the parts designated 12, 13 and 20 may be formed from sheet metal of .095 gauge and 4.5 inches wide. Parts 14 and15 may be formed of .046 gauge sheet metal while the spacers or stiffening members 21 and 22 may be formed of .065 gauge fiat sheet metal. Other parts of the structure may be formed of metal having the followingdirnensions: member 33 of .095 gauge sheet metal 4.5 inches wide, members 35 of .065 gauge sheet metal 4 inches wide, members 44 and 45 of light sheet metal of similar gauge, rod 36 of 1 1 inches welded tubing of similar thin'metal, and member 48 and drawer 51 of .065 gauge stock. Most, if not all, of the members may be produced in finished form by two punching operations.

While an illustrative embodiment of the'invention has been" described in considerable detail, it will be understood that various changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the various parts within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A stand adapted to support a table top for carrying a sewing machine and power driving means therefor which comprises end members-formed of sheet metal, each end member having an upper section and a lower section with vertically extending leg'portions in telescopic relation, the upper section of each member having leg portions provided with walls defining a channel form structure, said leg portions 'being permanently connected at their upper ends by a horizontally disposed channel member adapted to carry a table top, the lower section of each end member being formed of two complementary parts secured together to provide a hollow structure'having a horizontally extending foot portion and upwardly extending leg portions for telescopic connection with the lower ends of the leg portions of the upper section, the leg portions of one of said sections having vertically elongated slots and the'leg portions of the other of said sections having bolt receiving openings alined with'said slots along lines extending across the channels of said leg portions of the upperofsaid sections,-bolts passing through said openings and slots and arranged to clamp said leg portions and retain the same in telescoped relation to varying extents,

thereby enabling adjustment of the overall height of the end members, sheet metal channel elements having side members secured to opposed walls of the legportions of said upper sections-within the channels thereof and so positioned as to provide an element extending transversely across each of said-channels adjacent the open faces thereof in the-region of said bolts on the sides of the latter toward the open faces of saidchannels to resist inward bending of the metal of said sections upon the tightening of said bolts, and means connected with each of said end members and arranged to retain the'same in spaced relation.

2. A stand of the character set forth in claim 1 having sheet metal spacing elements secured to one of said parts of the lower section of each end member in spaced regions thereof and arranged to cooperate with the other part of each lower section to retain said parts in predetermined spaced relation, each of said spacing elements being bent in various directions to impart rigidity thereto.

3. A stand of the character set forth in claim 1 in which said means connected with said end members for retaining the same'in spaced relation comprises a tubular rod connected at its ends with forwardly extending portions of the lower sections of the end members, treadles mounted for rocking movement on said rod, and a spring clip at each side of each treadle arranged to grip said rod and frictionally resist movement of the treadles longitudinally of the rod.

4. A stand of the character set forth in claim 3 having means for connecting said rod with said lower sections of said end members at different elevations and in different positions from front to rear of said stand.

5. A stand of the character set forth in claim 1 in which said means connected with each of said end members for retaining the same in spaced relation comprises a channel element having its base portion offset along a line parallel with itslongitudinal axis, said base portion of said element having its upper part secured to the leg portions of said upper sections of each of said end members and having its lower part arranged to provide clearance in relation to the outer surface of the leg portions of said lower sections of said end members when said leg portions of said upper and lower sections of said end members are telescoped to a predetermined extent.

6. A stand of the character set forth in claim 5 having a pair of angularly disposed bars each having one end thereof rigidly secured to a leg of the upper section of one of said end members and having its other end rigidly secured to said channel element.

7. A stand of the character set forth in claim 1 in which a floor engaging element is detachably secured to each of the forward and rearward portions of said horizontally extending foot portions of said lower sections of said end members, each of said floor engaging elements having a horizontally disposed, relatively flat, cupped portion with its cavity facing downwardly, and a yieldable vibration absorbing member mounted on said cupped portion and arranged to engage the floor, said cupped portion being adapted to selectively retain said yieldable vibration absorbing member either through frictional engagement with the cupped portion through insertion of said member therein, or by mounting said member on said cupped portion to surround the same and provide a horizontally disposed floor engaging surface beneath said cupped portion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

